Elbow Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The elbow is a complex joint. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the imaging modality of choice in the workup of elbow pain, especially in sports injuries and younger patients who often have either a history of a chronic repetitive strain such as the throwing athlete or a distinct traumatic injury. Traumatic injuries and alternative musculoskeletal pathologies can affect the ligaments, musculotendinous, cartilaginous, and osseous structures of the elbow as well as the 3 main nerves to the upper limb, and these structures are best assessed with MRI.Knowledge of the complex anatomy of the elbow joint as well as patterns of injury and disease is important for the radiologist to make an accurate diagnosis in the setting of elbow pain. This chapter will outline elbow anatomy, basic imaging parameters, compartmental pathology, and finally applications of some novel MRI techniques.

Anatomic Study of the Elbow Joint in a Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Gross Dissections

“…In humans, MRI has become the modality of choice for morphological assessment and the diagnosis and management of diseases of the elbow joint [33]. Advances in equipment and MRI pulse sequences have allowed for superior visualization of this joint and its adjacent structures.…”

“…Traditionally, spin-echo sequences have been used for elbow diagnostic imaging. However, these techniques have been supplanted by the newer fast spin-echo and gradient-echo pulse sequences, which provide anatomical and functional information with greater ability to distinguish between bony and soft tissue structures [33,34].…”

“…The interpretation of elbow joint MRI studies requires an understanding of the MRI unit, basic pulse sequences, and standard imaging planes [33]. With regard to the MRI protocol used in the present study, an MRI can be used as an initial valid reference for assessment of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) elbow.…”

Interobserver and intraobserver agreement of ligamentous injuries on conventional MRI after simple elbow dislocation

“…In the current study the LCL and the LUCL were not analysed separately, which would have further decreased the inter- and intraobserver agreement. The assessment of the LUCL can be difficult, and even the intact LUCL is rarely seen as a distinct low-signal band [ 21 ].…”

“…Partial tears of the medial collateral ligaments (MCL) are detected with a low sensitivity [ 19 , 20 ]. Biomechanically relevant structures like the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) are not visualised reliably on MRI [ 21 – 24 ]. Furthermore, in acute simple elbow dislocation, most patients are not able to fulfil complete extension of the elbow, which makes interpretation much more difficult because the collateral ligaments are not tensioned [ 12 , 25 ].…”